Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board Meeting

John Izzo attended the monthly meeting for the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board on March 12, 2013.  Roger Redman, D.V.M., was reappointed to the Board.  Jack Advent, Executive Director of the Ohio Veterinary Medicine, talked to the Board Members about bills pending in the legislature that affect veterinarians.  The Board also discussed a letter it received inquiring about veterinary consultations.

A veterinary consultant is a veterinarian who is not licensed in this state and who provides advice and counsel to a requesting veterinarian licensed in this state in regard to the treatment, diagnosis, or health care of an animal or animals in a specific case.  The Veterinary Practice Act does not apply to veterinary consultants when consulting with a licensed veterinarian, on the condition that the service performed by the veterinary consultant is limited to the consultation and under all circumstances, the responsibility for the care and treatment of the patient remains with the veterinarian who holds a current license in this state and who is providing treatment, or consultation as to treatment, to the patient.  A veterinary consultant may apply for a temporary license.  Under any circumstances, when using the services of a veterinary consultant, the responsibility for the care and treatment of the patient remains with the veterinarian who holds a current license in this state and who is providing treatment, or consultation as to treatment, to the patient.

The Board was concerned about someone providing on-site consultation, yet not being a licensed veterinarian in the state.  Rule 4741-2-03(C)(2) deals with limited licenses, and states in part that “On-site consultation outside the institution is prohibited.”  However, a similar provision was not found anywhere else in the law.  The Board may be pursing rules to clarify their position.